Protecting Masungi: A Battle For Biodiversity

In the heart of the Philippines, nestled among the lush forests and dreaming crags just outside the city of Manila, lies the Masungi Georeserve—a haven of biodiversity under siege.

Ann Dumaliang, environmental defender and Global Shaper, shared her mission to protect Masungi Georeserve at the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. | Photo: Masungi Foundation

This protected nature and tourism site is facing threats from harmful development, jeopardizing its status as a vital sanctuary for biodiversity.

Masungi is not just a picturesque landscape; it's a crucial ecosystem with unique limestone crags and fragile forests that serve as a filter for essential waterways, protecting Philippine cities from flooding.

Ann Dumaliang, an environmental defender and a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, calls it her home and her life's mission to protect it.

"Karst is a rock formation made by calcium carbonate and shaped into pinnacles by rain over millions of years. It’s home to a diverse array of life," explains Ann.

"The landscape itself serves as an aquifer, with all of these underground drainage systems that allow water to stay clean. It’s literally filtered before it comes out into the communities that rely on it."

Ann and her sister, Billie Dumaliang, spent much of their childhoods in the reserve, inspired by their father's dedication to conservation.

Together, they've transformed Masungi into a showcase for sustainable reforestation and geotourism. "It’s a very intimate place to me. When people ask me, I say it's like a little brother," Ann reflects.

However, their dedication hasn't come without a price. The Dumaliang family has faced sustained harassment from armed groups connected to business interests, with Masungi's rangers enduring violent attacks.

"In 2021, two of my rangers almost died because someone shot them while they were sleeping in the ranger stations," Ann reveals.

Despite the challenges, Ann remains steadfast in her mission, emphasizing the critical role of Masungi's watershed in disaster risk mitigation.

"Flooding events have happened because of the deforestation in these parts," she explains. "Having this area restored is equivalent to about 10,500 dams. And you can imagine how expensive that is."

At the recent World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Ann highlighted the urgency of protecting forest ecosystems and the importance of including Indigenous perspectives in decision-making processes.

"We can't rely solely on governments to solve the climate and biodiversity crises," she asserts. "As civil society, young people, companies - we are co-actors, we are co-pilots."

In a Q&A session, Ann elaborated on Masungi's significance, from its karst rock formations to its unique wildlife and the challenges faced by its conservationists. "We engage up to 80 forest rangers in the conservation work that we do," she explains.

"They live on the land, many of them 24/7, just to make sure these areas are kept safe."

Despite the adversity, Ann remains hopeful, buoyed by the growing movement to #SaveMasungi.

With unwavering support from local and international allies, she believes that the future of Masungi—and the countless species it harbors—is within reach. As the battle for biodiversity rages on, it's clear that Masungi's survival is not just a local concern but a global imperative.

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To delve deeper into the challenges faced by the Masungi Georeserve, delve into "The Battle for Masungi, a Last 'Ark of Biodiversity' in the Philippines" authored by Anna Bruce-Lockhart, Editorial Lead at the World Economic Forum.

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